Roller device for squeezable tube

ABSTRACT

A device for discharging contents from a squeezable tube defining a bottom edge and a top nozzle for discharge of the contents comprises a main longitudinal body comprising a slot for slidingly receiving the bottom edge of the tube therein. A turning handle is mounted to the main longitudinal body for providing a user to impart a turning movement to the main longitudinal body and the bottom edge about the longitudinal axis to roll the tube about the main longitudinal body thereby squeezing the tube and causing the contents therein to be discharged therefrom. The turning handle and the main longitudinal body define at least one opening for receiving at least a portion of the tube rolled about the main longitudinal body therein. The main longitudinal body is slidable along a length of the bottom edge thereby providing the user to selectively move the turning handle towards the rolled tube so as to receive a portion thereof within the at least one opening preventing the rolled tube from unrolling or away from the rolled tube so as to remove the portion thereof from the at least one opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority on Canadian Patent ApplicationNo. 2,977,108 filed on Aug. 23, 2017 and incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to squeezable tube used for thick liquidsor pastes. More particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosurerelates to a device for rolling a squeezable tube to discharge thecontents thereof.

BACKGROUND

A squeezable tube is a soft squeezable container which can be used forthick liquids or pastes such as adhesive, caulking, ointment, cosmeticsand toothpaste. Generally, the tube is a cylindrical, hollow piece witha round or oval profile. The contents of these squeezable tubes aredischarged by squeezing the tube from the bottom end and progressivelyflattening the tube along its length from the bottom towards the topnozzle. Getting the most out of these tubes requires a strong squeezingaction along the full length of the tube which is often tiresome or anannoyance to users who often waste a large portion of the contents bydiscarding a tube before it has been completely emptied. For example,toothpaste tubes become harder to squeeze the toothpaste out as theremaining paste is pushed towards the top shoulder of the tubesurrounding the nozzle. Moreover, older people, people with reducedmobility or people suffering from medical issues such as arthritis havea tough time squeezing the contents out of such squeezable tubes.

Devices such as toothpaste tube roller keys have been proposed. Thesedevices allow a user to slip the closed edge of the toothpaste tubewithin a slot and to roll the tube along the length of the tube.

Objects

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a roller device fora squeezable tube.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a device fordischarging contents from a squeezable tube.

It is an object to of the present disclosure to provide a roller andsqueezable tube kit.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a kit fordischarging contents.

SUMMARY

There is provided a device in accordance with a non-limitingillustrative embodiment of the present disclosure that allows for a userto roll a squeezable tube along its length from its closed bottom flatedge towards its top end which includes a nozzle to discharge a desiredamount of the tube's contents. Once a desired amount of content has beendischarged, the device allows the user to lock the tube at a givenrolled position along its length thereby avoiding the situation of thetube slowly unrolling back to its extended position when rolling actionhas stopped.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a device for discharging contents from a squeezable tubedefining a bottom edge and a top nozzle for discharge of the contents,the device comprising: a main longitudinal body defining oppositelongitudinal ends and a longitudinal axis and comprising a slot forslidingly receiving the bottom edge of the tube therein; and a turninghandle mounted to the main longitudinal body at one of the longitudinalends thereof for providing a user to impart a turning movement to themain longitudinal body and the bottom edge received thereby about thelongitudinal axis to roll the tube about the main longitudinal bodythereby squeezing the tube and causing the contents therein to bedischarged therefrom, the turning handle defining with the mainlongitudinal body at least one opening for receiving at least a portionof the tube rolled about the main longitudinal body therein, wherein themain longitudinal body is slidable along a length of the bottom edgethereby providing the user to selectively move the turning handletowards the tube rolled about the main longitudinal body so as toreceive the rolled tube portion within the at least one openingpreventing the rolled tube from unrolling or away from the tube rolledabout the main longitudinal body so as to remove the rolled tube portionfrom the at least one opening.

In an embodiment, the slot is defined by flap elements extending from afront side of the main longitudinal body, the flap elements providingfor grippingly engaging the bottom edge when inserted in the slot.

In an embodiment, one of the longitudinal ends comprises an open end forreceiving the bottom edge into the slot.

In an embodiment, the turning handle and the main longitudinal bodydefine at least one inner edge therebetween for defining the at leastone opening, the at least one inner edge grippingly engaging the rolledtube portion when received by the opening.

In an embodiment, the turning handle and the main longitudinal bodydefine a pair of openings for receiving at least a respective portion ofthe rolled tube therein. In an embodiment, the turning handle and themain longitudinal body define a pair of inner edges therebetween, eachinner edge defining a respective one of the pair of openings, each inneredge grippingly engaging a respective rolled tube portion when receivedby a respective one of the pair of openings.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a kit for discharging contents comprising: a tube defining abottom edge and a top nozzle for discharge of the contents; the devicein as defined hereinabove.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictivedescription of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of exampleonly with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front and side perspective view of a device for rollingsqueezable tubes in accordance with a non-limiting illustrativeembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the device of FIG. 1 in accordancewith a non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the device of FIG. 1 in accordancewith a non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a lateral side view of the device of FIG. 1 in accordance witha non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flat sheet cut out for the device of FIG. 1 in accordancewith a non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 engaging the bottomflat edge of a squeezable tube in accordance with a non-limitingillustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 having engaged thebottom flat edge of a squeezable tube in accordance with a non-limitingillustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 rolling thesqueezable tube from the bottom flat edge upwardly along the lengththereof in accordance with a non-limiting illustrative embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 having locked thesqueezable tube in a rolled position in accordance with a non-limitingillustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a lateral side view of a device for rolling squeezable tubesin accordance with another non-limiting illustrative embodiment of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is an opposite lateral side view of the device of FIG. 10 inaccordance with a further non-limiting illustrative embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Generally stated and in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure, there is provided a device for discharging contents from asqueezable tube defining a bottom edge and a top nozzle for discharge ofthe contents. The device comprises a main longitudinal body comprising aslot for slidingly receiving the bottom edge of the tube therein. Aturning handle is mounted to the main longitudinal body for providing auser to impart a turning movement to the main longitudinal body and thebottom edge about the longitudinal axis to roll the tube about the mainlongitudinal body thereby squeezing the tube and causing the contentstherein to be discharged therefrom. The turning handle and the mainlongitudinal body define at least one opening for receiving at least aportion of the tube rolled about the main longitudinal body therein. Themain longitudinal body is slidable along a length of the bottom edgethereby providing the user to selectively move the turning handletowards the rolled tube so as to receive a portion thereof within the atleast one opening preventing the rolled tube from unrolling or away fromthe rolled tube r so as to remove the portion thereof from the at leastone opening.

With respect to the Figures, a non-restrictive illustrative embodimentof the present device and kit will be discussed.

FIGS. 1 to 4 shows a roller device 10 for squeezable tubes 12 (see FIGS.6 to 9), such as toothpaste tubes or tubes that contain adhesives,caulking, ointment, cosmetics and other contents as is known in the art.

The roller device 10 includes a main longitudinal body 14 connected to aturning handle 16 for turning the main longitudinal body 16 about itslongitudinal axis X (see FIG. 2) and as shown by arrows T in FIG. 8. Themain longitudinal body 14 and the turning handle may be contiguousintegrated structures or otherwise attachable (and optionally removable)to each other as can be contemplated by the skilled artisan within thescope of the present disclosure.

The main longitudinal body 14 defines one end 18 which is connected tothe turning handle 16 and an opposite free end 20. The main longitudinalbody 14 includes a front side 22 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) and an oppositerear side 24 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The front side 22 defines alongitudinal slot 26 for receiving the bottom flat edge 28 of thesqueezable tube 12 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The opposite rear 24 defines agenerally flat surface.

In the non-limiting example shown in FIGS. 1-9, the main longitudinalbody 14 comprises a generally rectangular configuration, yet otherconfigurations can be contemplated within the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, FIGS. 10 and 11 show a device 10′ comprising amain longitudinal body 14′ having a generally cylindrical configuration.

Furthermore, in the non-limiting example of FIGS. 1-9 the mainlongitudinal body 14 comprises a triangular configuration along itscross-section as better shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows an example of aflat sheet 30 cut out 32 that shows just one example of manufacturingthe device 10. The cut out 32 in the sheet 30 provides a shape in whichtwo flaps 34A and 34B are folded towards each other defining the slot 26along with the floor 37 of the front side 22. More specifically and asshown in FIG. 4, the front edges 35A and 35B of the flaps 34A and 34B,respectively, define the opening 27 of slot 26 that receives bottom flatedge 28 of the tube 12. The front edges 35A and 35B grippingly engageedge 28 to secure it to the device 10. As is shown by arrow S in FIG. 6,the bottom edge 28 of the tube 12 is slid within slot 26 via the freeopen end 20.

In another non-restrictive embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the mainlongitudinal body 14′ of device 10′ comprises a circular cross-sectionmade up of two curved flaps 34A′ and 34B′ defining the slot 26′.

The main longitudinal body 14 (or 14′) can comprise a variety ofcross-section configurations, including an oval shape, a square shapeand other suitable shapes. Moreover, the flaps defining the slots may beseparate or discontinued structures rather than contiguous elements asshown in the present non-restrictive examples.

The turning handle 16 extends from the main longitudinal body 14. A pairof openings 36A and 36B (see FIGS. 1-3 and 8) are defined between themain longitudinal body 14 and the turning handle 16. More particularly,the turning handle 16 and the main longitudinal body 14 define an inneredge 38A therebetween that delineates opening 36A as well as anotherinner edge 38B therebetween that delineates opening 36B. As shown inFIG. 9, the openings 36A and 36B receive portions of the rolled tube 12therein by sliding the device 10 towards the tube as shown by arrows Lin order to fir the tube when sufficient amount has been rolled aboutthe main longitudinal body 14 within both openings 36A and 36B so thatinner edges 38A and 38B (see FIG. 2) grippingly engage the tube 12thereby locking the tube 12 in a current rolled position as shown inFIG. 9, thus avoiding the tube from being unrolled.

In the present non-limiting example, the turning handle 16 comprises agenerally flat rectangular configuration, yet other suitableconfigurations can be contemplated by the skilled artisan within thescope of the present disclosure. The turning handle 16 may be providedin a larger massive shape for example like a knob, to give just oneexample. Moreover, the openings 36A and 36B are shown to be rectangularbut can also be provided in other forms such as curved or c-shapedstructures to name but two examples. The inner edges 38A and 38B (seeFIG. 2) can thus be provided in a variety of suitable configuration forlocking the tube 12 as explained above.

In the non-limiting example shown here and with particular reference toFIGS. 2, 3 and 9, the turning handle 16 includes a main portion 40 witha pair of fins 42A and 42B extending therefrom towards the free end 20.The fins 42A and 42B are spaced apart and extend over the mainlongitudinal body 14. The fins 42A and 42B define inner edges 44A and44B, respectively. Edges 44A and 44B respectively extend over and aboveedges 46A and 46B defined by the main longitudinal body 14. The mainportion 46 defines a pair of inner edges 48A and 48B. Edge 48A extendsbetween edges 44A and 42A. Edge 48B extends between edges 44B and 42B.Inner edge 38A is defined by edges 42A, 44A and 48A. Inner edge 38B isdefined by edges 42B, 44B and 48B.

In the example shown here, two opening 36A and 36B are shown forreceiving the rolled tube therein. Of course, the device 10 may onlyinclude one such opening such as 36A or 36B when the handle includes onefin 42A or 42B. In another embodiment, the device 10 includes a greaternumber of such openings or a continuous single opening when the turninghandle defines a receiving cavity (i.e. the opening) circumscribing themain longitudinal body 14 along a 360-degree angle. Other suitableconfigurations of the turning handle 16 and the main longitudinal bodyfor providing such openings that receive a portion of the rolled tubetherein can be contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

The device 10 may be made of a variety of strong, resilient, deformableand rigid materials as can be contemplated by the skilled artisan andcan be provided in a variety of suitable shapes and sizes depending onthe size and shape of the tube that is to be rolled.

In operation and with particular reference to the sequence of FIGS. 6 to9, the user inserts the bottom edge 28 of the tube into slot 26 bysliding the bottom edge 28 along the slot 26 via the open free end 20 asshown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The bottom edge 28 is engaged within slot 26 byflaps 34A and 34B. The user turns the turning handle 16 as shown byarrows T in FIG. 8 causing the main longitudinal body 14 along withbottom edge 28 to turn about its longitudinal axis X. In this way, thetube 12 is rolled about the main longitudinal body 14 whichprogressively squeezes and flattens the tube 12 from its bottom edge 28along the length of the tube 12 towards the top end 50 of the tube. Assuch, the contents within the tube 12 are squeezed out of the tube anddischarged via the nozzle 52 (see FIG. 9, shown here covered by cap 54)as is well known in the art. When a sufficient amount of content hasbeen discharged, the user locks the tube 12 in its current rolledposition pushing the handle 14 inwardly thereby sliding the mainlongitudinal body 14 inwardly along the bottom edge 12 in order to movethe turning handle 14 towards the tube 12 (as shown by arrows L in FIG.9) and inserts the rolled tube 12 within the openings 36A and 36B sothat it can be lockingly engaged by the inner edges 38A and 38B. In thisway, the tube 12 is locked in its current rolled position (FIG. 9)against unrolling. When the user desires to squeeze more content out ofthe tube 12, the user moves the turning handle in the direction shown byarrows U in FIG. 8 (i.e. the opposite movement of arrows L in FIG. 9) torelease the tube 12 from the aforementioned locked position in order tocontinue rolling the tube as previously explained.

In an embodiment, the device 10 and the tube 12 can be sold together asa kit.

The various features described herein can be combined in a variety ofways within the context of the present disclosure so as to provide stillother embodiments. As such, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive.Moreover, the embodiments discussed herein need not include all of thefeatures and elements illustrated and/or described and thus partialcombinations of features can also be contemplated. Furthermore,embodiments with less features than those described can also becontemplated. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and partsillustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. Thedisclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced invarious ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology orterminology used herein is for the purpose of description and notlimitation. Hence, although the present disclosure has been providedhereinabove by way of non-restrictive illustrative embodiments thereof,it can be modified, without departing from the scope, spirit and naturethereof and of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for discharging contents from asqueezable tube defining a bottom edge and a top nozzle for discharge ofthe contents, the device comprising: a main longitudinal body definingopposite longitudinal ends and a longitudinal axis and comprising a slotfor slidingly receiving the bottom edge of the tube therein; and aturning handle mounted to the main longitudinal body at one of thelongitudinal ends thereof for providing a user to impart a turningmovement to the main longitudinal body and the bottom edge receivedthereby about the longitudinal axis to roll the tube about the mainlongitudinal body thereby squeezing the tube and causing the contentstherein to be discharged therefrom, the turning handle defining with themain longitudinal body at least one opening for receiving at least aportion of the tube rolled about the main longitudinal body therein,wherein the main longitudinal body is slidable along a length of thebottom edge thereby providing the user to selectively move the turninghandle towards the tube rolled about the main longitudinal body so as toreceive the rolled tube portion within the at least one openingpreventing the rolled tube from unrolling or away from the tube rolledabout the main longitudinal body so as to remove the rolled tube portionfrom the at least one opening.
 2. A device according to claim 1, whereinthe slot is defined by flap elements extending from a front side of themain longitudinal body, the flap elements providing for grippinglyengaging the bottom edge when inserted in the slot.
 3. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein one of the longitudinal ends comprises anopen end for receiving the bottom edge into the slot.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the turning handle and the mainlongitudinal body define at least one inner edge therebetween fordefining the at least one opening, the at least one inner edgegrippingly engaging the rolled tube portion when received by theopening.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the turning handleand the main longitudinal body define a pair of openings for receivingat least a respective portion of the rolled tube therein.
 6. A deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the turning handle and the mainlongitudinal body define a pair of inner edges therebetween, each inneredge defining a respective one of the pair of openings, each inner edgegrippingly engaging a respective rolled tube portion when received by arespective one of the pair of openings.
 7. A kit for dischargingcontents comprising: a squeezable tube defining a bottom edge and a topnozzle for discharge of the contents; and a device for discharging thecontents from the squeezable tube, the device comprising: a mainlongitudinal body defining opposite longitudinal ends and a longitudinalaxis and comprising a slot for slidingly receiving the bottom edge ofthe tube therein; and a turning handle mounted to the main longitudinalbody at one of the longitudinal ends thereof for providing a user toimpart a turning movement to the main longitudinal body and the bottomedge received thereby about the longitudinal axis to roll the tube aboutthe main longitudinal body thereby squeezing the tube and causing thecontents therein to be discharged therefrom, the turning handle definingwith the main longitudinal body at least one opening for receiving atleast a portion of the tube rolled about the main longitudinal bodytherein, wherein the main longitudinal body is slidable along a lengthof the bottom edge thereby providing the user to selectively move theturning handle towards the tube rolled about the main longitudinal bodyso as to receive the rolled tube portion within the at least one openingpreventing the rolled tube from unrolling or away from the tube rolledabout the main longitudinal body so as to remove the rolled tube portionfrom the at least one opening.